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How to Use the New Absolute Quantitation of Myocardial Blood Flow Code

After years of work by ASNC, a new category I code for the Absolute Quantitation of Myocardial Blood (AQMBF) Flow went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. AQMBF provides risk stratification for patients with coronary disease and nonischemic cardiomyopathies above and beyond the data from static perfusion imaging. It also can be used for identifying patients with poor response to vasodilator stress or high-risk coronary artery disease.

78434 should be listed separately in addition to the code for the primary procedure.

78434 should be used in conjunction with 78431- PET/CT- Perfusion Multiple (Rb/Am) or 78492- PET- Perfusion Multiple (Rb/Am).

Your regional Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) has details on whether Medicare will reimburse for this code in your area. Not sure who your regional MAC is? Use this CMS map, and then consult your MAC's website.